Antiques PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Antiques PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

BITTERS AND MIDWESTERN BOTTLES AND GLASS FROM TWO OUTSTANDING COLLECTIONS AUCTIONED

An American Life Bitters bottle made in Ohio circa 1865-1875 sold for $42,000, a Constitution Bitters bottle made in New York circa 1865-1875 brought $23,000, a St. Drake’s Plantation Bitters bottle patented in New York in 1862 fetched $14,000, and a pattern globular bottle made by Zanesville Glass Works in Ohio, circa 1815-1835, hit $7,500 in Premier Auction #143, which opened for bidding Sept 21 and closed Sept. 28 by Glass Works Auctions.

The online-only auction was headlined by two outstanding collections: the Paul and Mary Ballentine bitters bottle collection and the Don Spangler Midwestern bottles and glass collection. Of the 275 total lots in the auction, 140 found winning bidders. By the time it was all over, the sale grossed $354,600. All traffic was driven through the website, www.glswrk-auction.com.

“The Ballentines were pioneer collectors from Ohio who started collecting in the early 1960s,” said Jim Hagenbuch, the owner of Glass Works Auctions. “Paul passed away, but Mary retained the collection until her recent passing. Don Spangler is probably the last of the early collectors of early Ohio glass. At age 90 he reluctantly decided it was time to pass it on to other collectors.”

double font teakettle ink bottle (Mathews, M427U), made in America between 1875 and 1890, opaque milk glass with applied mother of pearl panes, each segmented by a thin amethyst colored band, changed hands for $3,250. The 2 ½ inch tall, 8-sided bottle had a smooth base and ground lips. Both fonts had the original fancy embossed brass neck rings and hinged lids.

“Double font teakettles are extremely rare, as few were ever made, and this one was near perfect,” Hagenbuch said. “The right font contained the traditional black ink while the left contained a red. This was evident by traces of each color being on the inside of the lips. We auctioned this teakettle in 2002 when we sold the Bob Mebane collection. At the time it was the only known example, and we believe it remains so today.”

Glass Works Auctions maintains offices in East Greenville, Pa., and a gallery in nearby Pennsburg. Both are located north and west of Philadelphia. The firm is always accepting quality bottles and related items for future sales. To inquire about consigning a single piece or an entire collection, you may call them at 215-679-5849; or, you can send an email to [email protected]. The next auction is tentatively slated for later in the fall. Watch website for details.

To learn more about Glass Works Auctions, please visit www.glswrk-auction.com

Double font teakettle ink bottle (Mathews, M427U), made in America between 1875 and 1890, opaque milk glass with applied mother of pearl panes, 2 ½ inches tall ($3,250).